Matt Besser answers some of your questions in another edition of Ask the UCB! Matt elaborates on his comparison of independent improv shows to stand-up open mics, talks about how the UCB Comedy Improv Manual is helpful in writing comedy, shares what he really thinks about “Whose Line Is It Anyway,” discusses an improv school that brags about not focusing on the “rules of improvisation,” and gives a couple of book recommendations. You can now get the UCB Comedy Improv Manual at http://ucbstore.com/...visation-manual, Matt Besser’s new comedy album at mattbesser.com, and Dragoon’s new album at dragoongalaxy.bandcamp.com!

I'm also super pumped you gave Isbell a shout out. I'm from north alabama and have been lucky enough to catch a few drive by/isbell solo shows over the past 10 years. If you are into that stuff, I would like to recommend to you Lee Baines III and the glory fires. Also The Dexateens.

"My name is Bruce. I fuck with viruses. I pull potatahs from the earth with my bare man hands. My beanie and five o clock shadow make me look like a longshoreman. And I can chill harder than a motherfucker."

I'm curious as to how Matt Besser thinks Adam Carolla would do on I4H. Given his comments about short form versus long form, the way he approaches improv, and his perspective on being selfish versus working with the group; I suspect he might not want him on the show. I think though that the perception about Carolla would be that he would be selfish in an improv situation, but in listening to his podcast, I think he is very giving and would make for a good guest. Carolla trained with The Groundlings as did Steve Agee, who has been on the show. I imagine there have been other Groundlings people too. Besser mentioned certain schools he likes and dislikes, but I don't know if The Groundlings came up. Thoughts?

I don't think Steve Agee has been on i4h - but he might make a great guest! I'm not a Carolla fan at all so I wouldn't personally want him on an i4h episode, but I do concede that it might make for an interesting episode.

I don't think Steve Agee has been on i4h - but he might make a great guest! I'm not a Carolla fan at all so I wouldn't personally want him on an i4h episode, but I do concede that it might make for an interesting episode.

You know what you're right. Sorry, I mistook the episode of CBB with Besser and Agee for an I4H.

I think UCB will do just fine despite the marketing angle of that new independent improv workshop. There are a lot of people who don't get on Harold teams or who decide to socialize in other improv communities and these smaller workshops give them further opportunities to keep doing what they love. Also it would be hard to start a new school or workshop that used the exact syllabus as UCB or other established theaters. If someone was that into the philosophy of a specific theatre they would likely stay at that theatre and not open a new school.

I thought Mohr was great, but I understand the complaints. He seems to enjoy being the center of attention a little too much. But that was CBB, not I4H. If Besser was upset because Scott's show wasn't exactly the same format as his show, that's just not fair. I could sense Matt's frustration over Jay not following his lead more, but I think for a CBB episode, Mohr did pretty much exactly what most guests do.

I could sense Matt's frustration over Jay not following his lead more, but I think for a CBB episode, Mohr did pretty much exactly what most guests do.

There was also Mohr repeatedly referring to Besser's character as "Single Dad" while Besser kept saying, like, "I'm not single, I have a wife. I'm just New Dad" and Mohr just going on with calling him "Single Dad". I could see that being kind of irritating, though I personally enjoyed that CBB episode. *shrug*

I think UCB will do just fine despite the marketing angle of that new independent improv workshop. There are a lot of people who don't get on Harold teams or who decide to socialize in other improv communities and these smaller workshops give them further opportunities to keep doing what they love. Also it would be hard to start a new school or workshop that used the exact syllabus as UCB or other established theaters. If someone was that into the philosophy of a specific theatre they would likely stay at that theatre and not open a new school.

Also I laughed a little at Matt getting angry about the semantics of their class ad (I can't think of a better thing to call it?).

On no one teaching "rules of improvisation" however is sadly incorrect however. If you live someplace that isn't New York, LA, or Chicago, most "teachers" are just going to spout off the bullet points at the end of each chapter of Truth In Comedy at you for guidance. I've never taken a professional improv class at any of the big theatres, so I can't say anything about them.

Annoyance has said they don't teach "the rules" for a long time, I don't think it was a dig at UCB, it's just how they've always positioned themselves.

However, "Annoyance Style" as Mick Napier describes in his own book does actually advocate taking care of yourself and defining your character first, and then worrying about the scene at large. Which is the kind of selfish play Matt talked about disliking earlier.